Defending maritime personal injury and property damage cases in state and federal courts

Arbitrations before the Society of Maritime Arbitrators in New York, the London Maritime Arbitrators Association, the Houston Maritime Arbitrators Association, the American Arbitrators Association, and JAMS

Defending and prosecuting maritime seizure proceedings

Insurance defense and coverage

Domestic and international mergers and acquisitions, particularly concerning maritime assets and issues

Douglas has worked as a master mariner licensed by the U.S. Coast Guard.

Chambers USA states that clients describe Douglas as “very personable and very knowledgeable” and “thoughtful and pragmatic, while being very aggressive and thorough in terms of representation.” “One observer reports: ‘His greatest strengths are his practical application of his broad experience and an ability to identify the critical issues.’”

Outside the Firm

Douglas is also an avid sailor, having grown up racing Star class, J-24s, and J-22s. He also enjoys sporting clays and working out with F3. He provides pro bono assistance through the Houston Bar Association LegalLines and the Houston Volunteer Lawyers VA Hospital Legal Clinic. Douglas is active with his church and his children’s schools, and with fundraising serves on the board for the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. GI Clinic S.C.O.P.E. Race (“Sprint for Colorectal Oncology, Prevention and Education”).

Related Industries

Special topics

Lead counsel in acquisition of shipyards and drydocks in Mobile, Alabama and Pascagoula, Mississippi

Lead counsel in shipbuilding agreement, financing, time charter and purchase option for polar expedition cruise vessel in excess of €106 million

Lead counsel for 10 vessel newbuild project valued in excess of $100 million

Lead counsel in negotiation for new build construction agreement for articulated tug barge unit valued in excess of $50 million

Lead counsel defending a stevedore in a fatality lawsuit in Brownsville, Texas, involving a truck driver crushed by falling steel cargo

Lead maritime counsel for the financing, acquisition, reflagging, refurbishment, charter, and heavy lift transportation of a $68.5 million offshore drilling rig

Co-counsel in a five-day trial representing the owner of an offshore construction support vessel in a dispute with a charterer over the formation of a charterparty

Lead counsel in a lawsuit for a breach of contract for an offshore platform component part supplier, prevailing before the appellate court

Lead counsel in a SMA arbitration in New York representing a charterer in a dispute with a vessel owner over a seaworthiness warranty, prevailing on all claims and obtaining a full award for attorney’s fees

Lead counsel representing a vessel owner in Shipowner’s Limitation of Liability Act proceedings concerning a shipboard fire with three fatalities

Lead counsel representing a Jones Act employer in an emergency search and rescue and subsequent federal court lawsuits concerning an offshore platform support vessel crew member suicide

Lead counsel representing a major regional stevedore in numerous personal injury and cargo lawsuits and claims, and including nearly all aspects of stevedore liability exposure.

Lead counsel in multiple SMAarbitrations in New York and HMAA, AAA, and JAMS arbitrations in Houston

Co-counsel representing cargo interests in multiple general average incidents with adjustments in New York and London

Memberships

Houston Bar Association

Houston Mariners Club

Maritime Law Association of the United States

Southeastern Admiralty Law Institute

State Bar of Texas

Professional Activities

Douglas is a proctor in admiralty with the Maritime Law Association of the United States, and he is actively involved with the Southeastern Admiralty Law Institute, having served as a speaker, member of the Board of Directors, chairman of the Long-Range Planning Committee, editor, editor-in-chief, Treasurer, Secretary, and currently Vice-chairman. Douglas is also active with his church and his children’s schools, and with fundraising for the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. He is a certified arbitrator and Chairman of the Houston Maritime Arbitrators Association (“HMAA”).